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The wine producer, winner of the "Distinguished Service Award" of Wine Spectator, maintained that Mendoza boasts a distinctive feature: source of high-quality wines. Moreover, he said that Asia is a very difficult market for Argentina that demands hard work.

In the last month, he became the first Argentinian in receiving the “Distinguished Service Award” of Wine Spectator, a recognition only reached by personalities of the world wine such as Francis Ford Coppola, Piero Antinori, Baron Eric de Rothschild, Robert Mondavi, Ernest and Julio Gallo, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse and Julia Child.

During the interview, he assured that blend wines made of Malbec have great chances “but Mendoza’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay display distinctive flavors that international consumers highly appreciate and demand”. Likewise, he added that Malbec has not yet reached its peak and its international demand will remain on the up.

-Undoubtedly, you are an outstanding celebrity of the wine industry. Where do you consider you made the difference?

-In our family company, we have the philosophy of aiming at producing the same or superior quality to that achieved in the world’s most prestigious regions. For this premise, we know we should constantly investigate the secrets of Mendoza terroir. The highest quality and research are the two major pillars of our company. I think my children and our executive staff have been trained on the basis of this philosophy, and they will be always in pursuit of a higher quality.

-How do you see the appearance of flying winemakers in Argentina?

-Flavors, aromas and the quality of wine depend on the terroir and microclimate. These flying winemakers have advanced knowledge about the wine chemistry, thus there are few chances of making mistakes. But in my opinion, they cannot get something different from what terroir sources.

-What do you think about US and Brazil markets?

-They are our markets with more potential.

-Does Argentina have chances in Asia?

-Asian markets are difficult for us as they are new and have held the belief that the best wine is French and the rest is inferior. We will have to work hard and spend a lot to change this image.

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Investments for 2013

Nicolás Catena, born in 1939 in La Libertad, is PhD in Economics graduated from Universidad Nacional de Cuyo and holds a Master degree in Economics granted by the Universidad de Columbia, United States. In 1992, he launched the first wine with his brand in the United States. Between 1990 and 2012, six of his wines were included in Wine Spectator’s Top 100, publication in which over 120 wines scored more than 90 points.

During the interview, the businessman assured that in 2013, he will invest in new vineyards in new microclimates. “We continue investigating. My children are tireless researchers”, he highlighted.

Furthermore, he announced the plantation of new clones in the oldest estate owned by the company in the east of Mendoza. Besides, he will make an important plantation at 1,800 meters above sea level in La Rioja and another one in an unexplored region in Argentina. Moreover, he will invest in state-of-the-art equipment, in a sparkling wine-producing company.